Apparatus for spinning thread and the like.



H. L. BROWN. APPARATUS FORSPINNING THREAD AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED Jumps. I908.

Patented July 13, 1915 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. L.- BROWN.

APPARATUS FOR SPINNING THREAD AND THE LINE.

APPUCATION FILED JUNE 3, I908.

L Patented July 13, 1915. I 3 SHEETSSHEET 2 4 2 A A A Jf/ d H d v12 3'50b 1 Cl e 6 a as 4 a 01, R d A. e /D 0712/1/71 III [III] I I I I Ill I Ijh/ J H fl! 2 H3 X ifi 5 I J il f3 b 2 71/ I B l 1W "7r 1f M 2 h K2 [Mm? I m LII LL 3 k k E 2 I 3 mg 5 m2.

wiimeooap I awwemtoz HENRY L. BROWN, 0F PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORT0 BROWN SPIN-WRIGHT COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0 F NEWYORK.

APPARATUS FOR SPINNING THREAD AND THE LIKE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l[, HENRY L. BRowN, ofPaterson, New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements in Apparatusfor Spinning Thread and the like, of which the following description, inconnection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, likeletters on the drawings designating like arts. p This invention relates"t6\apparatus for spinning, or similar treatment of cotton, silk, wooland other fibers, filaments or fibrous materials, and is of specialutility when embodied in cotton-spinning-frames, although I contemplatethe use of my improvements in any field for which they are adapted bytheir nature.

The primary object of my invention is to provide apparatus for spinningyarn continuously, without breaking, and preferably at a constant,predetermined speed, thus to produce a thread of a uniform number ofturns th the inch and also of uniform size and smoothness, of hightensile strength, and free from slugs, bunches or knots; a further.

important object being to provide for the simultaneous production of anydesired number of such threads of the same size and strength, so thatthe operation of the loom or sewing machine in which they are to be usedwill not be interrupted by the necessity for repairing hundreds ofbreaks in one or more weak threads running through the Warp or spool,and creating imperfections therein.

Among the important factors contributory to the attainment of the aboveobject is the elimination from the spinning operation of environmentalinfluences of a character tending to cause variations in the speed ofthe spindles, among which influences the irregular absorption of oil bythe driving means is included and also the absorption of atmos-Specification of Letters Patent.

phcric moisture, which varies rapidly often,

from hour to hour and causes corresponding variations in the tension ofthe driving bands in common use to actuate the spindles, these bandsbeing made ordinarily of yarn 'or other hygroscopic or absorbentmaterials. Similar tensional or other speed changes are also induced bythe lint, dust and other extraneous substances with which the bandsbecome loaded and their weight and .diameter altered, such substancessometimes finding their way also between the whirl Patented July 13,19115.

Application filed June 3, 1908. Serial No. 436,472.

and spindle base, if the latter is not kept properly clean, the frictionthus caused increaslng appreciably the power required to run the spindleaifected, thus reducing its speed, so weaker than those from otherspindles runmm; at correct speed. In accordance with the preferred formof my invention, I have ellmlnated these disturbing factors byintroduclng a novel principle of operation,

h1 ch includes the provision of a constant 2e vironment in which runsactuating mechaiiism of any type suitable to'drive the spindle devicewhich may be selected for a given operation. A convenient mode ofcarrying lnto effect this departure from existing practice is to inclosethe actuating mechanism within a insulated from the above recited, andalso foreign substances, and this insulation may be served further byplacing in the container oil or other suitable fluid surrounding theactuating mechanism wholly or in part.

Heretofore, the exposed driving bands atmospheric" changes from theintrusion of that it will then turn out a thread' suitable containerWhere it will be have been known to take up dirt and sediment to anextent necessitating an extra power consumption of .003 H. P. perspindle,

which would amount to over half a, horse power for a frame of averagesize, and the bands have also been known to absorb Suficient moisturefrom the atmosphere during a rainstorm to increase by ten per cent. thepower required to drive them. I may form the driving mechanism, ofnon-hygroscopic material to avoid the absorption of oil, atmosphericmoisture and the like, with its attendant evils, and I prefer to formthe mechanism so, whether or not the apparatus is provided with themeans to create a constant environment.

Bands and other frictional driving means are liable to slip on thespindle whirls, in which event the spindle runs slow; if the band leavesthe whirl, and engages with the spindle blade or a spindle part ofsmaller diameter than the whirl, the spindle speeds up faster than itsneighbors. Other sources of variation in speed exist. In order to insurethe maximum degree of regularity in the speed at which individualspindles shall be actuated, and to accomplish the synchronous actuationof the-spindles in any group of spindles, and of each and every spindle,in apparatus of the class described, I prefer to provide means to drivepositively the individual spindles, groups, and larger aggregations.

. With few exceptions, the spindles in operation throughout the world,estimated at over one hundred million in number, are hand driven, andsubject to the disadvantages of operation inherent in frictionallyoperated actuating mechanism, including the friction due to lateral dragof the band upon the spindle, which should be confined as nearly aspossible to one pound when the band is properly set, but frequently runsup to three and four pounds and sometimes to seven or eight pounds whenthe operative is careless, with an increment of'from .00075 P..to .00170H. P. per spindle for each pound of band tension added to the bands,

at the ordinary speeds ranging from 4000 to 8,000 turns a minute. Thetension on a band is apt to increase largely during periods ofinoperation, when thebands are free to contract. At a very commontension of three pounds, to which the bands of an ordinarily wellattended frame may pull at any time under heavy moisture conditions,estimating 80 spindles to the H. P., the band tension has been estimatedto consume over forty per cent. of the total power required by the wholeframe.

Accordingly it is an object of high importance in my invention toeliminate the tension factor wholly, and this I accomplish preferably bysuitable positively operating driving means, preferably taking the formof metallic gearing, inasmuch as this type of actuating mechanism lendsitself readily to submergence in the oil when I utilize oil 'inconnection with the means to afiord a constant environment, or to act asa lubri cant for the gearing, and the metal of the gearing serving as aconvenient form of non-hygroscopic material for the composition of theactuating mechanism, in accordance with the preferred constructionthereofas herein disclosed. Heretofore, .it has been found impossible toutilize gearing for the actuation of spindles at the high speeds commonin spinning and twisting, largely by reason of the failure to producesuccessful means for lubrication of the gearing, the friction andconsequent heat engendered acting to render such mechanism inoperativeat even moderately high speeds.

As a cognate feature of importance in providing for ample lubrication ofthe rotating members of the spindles, in order to secure the verysteady, firm and speedy drive characteristic of gears run in oil at ahigh number of revolutions per minute, I disclose hereinafter anarrangement for circulation of oil or other lubricant through thespindle bearings, preferably comprising a, system which derives itssupply from the net lubricant in the container and conveys it to thevarious bearings of each spindle, including preferably the intermeshlngteeth of the driving gearing, whence it finds its way back to thecontainer, the operation recurring continuously and serving not merelyto insure an automatic and regular lubrication of the bearings,including in this expression the gearing, but also to flood the samefrequently and thoroughly, carrying off such slight detritus as may bepresent therein from time to time due to wear, or to intrusion of dirtof any sort. lhis arrangement removes sources of possible wear beforethey become active, and my invention preferably includes an arrangementof the bearings such that any products of attrition from the mainhearing will find ready exit from the spindle without traversing otherbearing surfaces.

Heretofore, the employees to whom the lubrication of spindle bearingshas usually been intrusted, frequently forget or neglect to oilbearings, especially at inaccessible portions of the frame, so that thebearings run dry and cause great waste of power, and imperfectly spun ortwisted material, while more often still the oil is spilled on the bandsor the floor and tends to accumulate lint and dust, which sooner orlater find their way to the yarn being spun. or to the various bearings.Regular oiling, not dependent on the personal equation of an employee,is accordingly :1 desideratum, and is provided for in my nvention, asset forth briefly already and more at length in that part of thespecification devoted thereto. In accordance with this very importantfeature, an arrangement for circulating oil automatically obviates alsothe necessity heretofore experienced for packing the rotating member ofthe spindle with a. wick or other adventitious device for holding theoil, such devices furnishing lint and dirt in the oil chamber andrequiring replacement or readjustment from time to time with someexpenditure of time and material.

Among the elements in the construction of a spindle which maybeconsidered of notable value for aiding to accomplish these novel resultsin the most satisfactory manner, may be mentioned the location of thedrive at a region of the spindle where ample bearing surfaces areprovided, and preferably where the flexibility so vital to successfuloperation of spindleswill center and be therefore practically m'Z,insuring a firm and steady driving engagement; to which end I prefer toprovide the rotating member of the spindle with a support, u-eferablyspherical, around which the spindle may have a limited universalmovement to the extent requisite to permit the rotating member to centeritself or come to a true axis of rotation, and there turn, free fromvibration. The rotating member may conveniently take the form intentstion. Another element which may take an active part in the successfulmaintenance of the spindle at its position of highest normal eficiency,is an auxiliary hearing which ll prefer to provide at a region separatedby a substantial distance from the drive bearing and preferably near theend of the shell socket, this auxiliary bearing being preferably of sucha character as to maintain its snug bearing engagement with the spindleduring lateral displacement of the spindle blade under theself-centering action to which reference has been made. The

spindle part within the shell may be slightly and in predeterminedposition relatively to the axes of companion spindles. Such an auxiliarybearing may conveniently be provided by extending within the spindlesleeve or shell (whether or not this constitutes the rotating member ofthe spindle) an upright post traversing the central spherical drivebearing, and furnished, at a substantial distance from the same, with abearing bushing having a coned exterior preferably to cooperate with aconed portion of the shell socket, the bush having an axial bore fittingsnugly around the post, about which the bushing is free torotate,'sui.table automatic bush-seating means being providedpreferably, such as a coiled spring, intervening between the auxiliarybearing bush and a shoulder upon the post and tending to hold the bushyieldingly up to its work. To distribute still further the bearingengagements between the spindle and its support, I may form thespherical bearing member separately from the post, which will preferablyin that event transfix the bearing sphere, the latter having an axialbore to pass thepost and bear snugly thereagainst, the inner compoundbearing surface thus formed preferablybeing approximately equal in areato the spherical exterior bearing surface of contact between thesphereand sleeve members, to distribute the friction, the auxiliary bushingoperating in similar fashion preferably. As the rotating member of sucha shell spindle usually exhibits a tendency to leave its post coaxially, at speeds of 3000 turns a minute or surface, and for thatreason I prefer to proover, I prefer to provide in the mouth of theshell, adjacent to the sphere, a removable bearing bush of hardenedmetal, which may, and preferably does, form the main bearing vide forits delicate and accurate ad ustment, and for its ready replacement,this bushing being preferably of annular form, surrounding the post, andhaving an axial bore of sufficient diameter to permit the universal playabove mentioned, and also to pass the oil.

I Other important features of my invention comprise an arrangement ofthe spindles in groups preferably provided each with a group-gearserving as a common actuating member for the spindle gears, and mountedtherewith on a rail-section secured removably in place upon thecontainer, the con-v tainer corresponding generally in function with theusual rail of a spinning frame, and along which extends the mainactuating shaft or member, preferably, providedwith gears to engageoperatively suitable multiplying gears connected with each of the groupgears, so that the gearing may be operad to drive the spindles of allthe groups in synchronism at constant speeds running up to 15,000 turns,and over, a minute.

The groups are preferably removable respectively without disturbingother groups or the main actuating member, and an object of importanceto be noted is my provision of means to permit disengagement ofindividual spindles from operative en gagement with their respectivegroup gear, preferably while the latter continues to rotate, and withoutdisturbing the other spindles of the group, suitable means beingprovided also preferably to cut off automatically the oil supply of thespindle thus disengaged.

Other features of my invention comprise the provision of a form ofgearing which aids to maintain the spindle at its normal hearing pointand which is preferably of oil distributing construction; also means tomaintain bobbins in place upon the spindle blades.

The various features of my invention will be illustrated and describedfully in the accompanying drawings and specification and pointed out inthe claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates in 120 plan view, partly insection, portion of the rail of a spinning frame, in the construction ofwhich my improvements have been embodied, a plurality of groups ofspindles being shown in place, a few of the spindles 1% being omitted toreveal the supporting structure, while parts of other spindles, etc, areshown in section; Fig. 2 is a View in vertical, transverse section takenon the broken line va -av Fig. 1, parts being lat shown in elevation.Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale of a spindleembodying my improvements. Fig. 4 is a 'ieW in elevation of a modifiedform of spindle, shown partly in section, with several of the membersready for assemblage.

5 is a view in plan, looking-from bottom, to top, Fig. 8; and Fig. 6shows in elevation a spindle with a blade having a modified of tip ofespecial utility for the retention of silk bobbins, of which one isillustrated in section upon the spindle In the embodiment of myinvention selected for illustration and description as a convenient formto permit ready and complete understanding of my improvements, thereference letters A, A A A A A, A and A designate respectively theindividual spindle devices forming one group of a plurality of suchgroups which, in accordance with the preferred formof my invention areprovided with means to actuate the several spindles positively, aconstant environment for the actuating means being provided preferablyby arranging the actuating'mechanism to run ina suitable container Bwhich may be provided with free lubricant in sufficient quantities tosurround the engaged portions of the spindles and driving means whollyor in part; and the reference letters A A inclusive designate theindividual spindle members of a similargroup, each of which spindles maybe of any suitable construction. Preferably the spindles will correspondin essential particulars with the form of spindle device illustrated inFigs. 1, 2 and 3, and the details of which appear most clearly in Fig.3, this device comprising in the instance illustrated a hollow shell (14carrying a blade or, and

mounted rotatively upon a supporting memher a the shell-spindle memberhaving preferably an exterior pinion, gear or similar member a ofnon-hygroscopic material preferably, 1n accordance with my invention, toserve as the driven member of means for the-positive actuation of thespindle at the desired speed. while within. the shell, preferably atthis driving region, I prefer to provide a bearing device a, in-{germediate the shell and supporting memers.

To avoid vibrations, and for that purpose to provide the yieldingsupport or flexible quality recognized in modern spindle con structionas an element of prime importance in the ability of the spindle tocenter itself, 1', c. to find and maintain a true axis of rotativeequilibrium, especially important at highspeedsl have located the drivebear-- ingat a regionsof relatively low flexibility of the supportingmember a and have provided a secondary or auxiliary bearing memoer a ata region of greater flexibility, and I may adopt the additionalexpedient illustrated of using for the drive bearing a" a sphericalmember, or one permitting at least slight universal play between thespindle and its support. The shell and its blade may then, andpreferably will, be of relatively rigid construction, forming anintegral metal member, symmetrical, and as true as it is possible tomake it mechanically, while the supporting post a will also preferablybe made of metal, its lesser diameter ordinarily serving to endow it'with sullicient ability to give or yield slightly near its tip withoutany special preliminary treatment to impart resiliency, although wherefound desirable, tempering, or other suitable treatment to induceflexibility of the requisite degree, is to be considered within thescope of my invention.

It should be noted that the bearing parts of both bearings are inperfect contact at all times. and that I obviate the use of adventitiousmeans to promote flexibility, such as felted or fibrous packings, whichmust be renewed from time to time, and the novel principle ofconstruction above recited l conceive to be of general utility in itsapplication to spindles and accordingly I claim it generically.

\Vhen embodied in a spindle device wherein the rotating member takes'theform of a shell, as illustrated herein, thc bearing part a which affordsthe capability of slight uniably being approximately equal in area tothe area of the exterlor spherical bearing surface a, of the member, sothat the bearingsurfaces will together furnish a compound bearing, themember a will be free to rotate between the post and shell, and the.friction will be distributed.

The bearing surface upon the rotating member of the spindle may be ofany form suitable to cooperate witlrthe bearing surface with which it isto engage, and as one convenient form of surface to engage the sphericalsurface a I have illustrated at (1 a concave annular shoulder which inthe instance illustrated is formed integral with the material of thespindle shell and faces the lot masons post, and also to afford ampleexit of the fluid lubricant with such detritus as may result from theattrition of the hearings, or otherwise find its way into thecirculating lubricant, this continuous self-cleaning action of thespindle constituting one of the most important and novel features of myinvention, as will be understood more fully upon reference to the moredetailed explanation of the oiling system set forth elsewhere herein.Viewing the member a in another aspect, it may be regarded as the mainwearing part of the device, in view of the'above recited tendency ofshell spindles-to rise on their supports at the high speeds common inspinning cotton, silk and other fibers, and I prefer to harden thematerial of the member to withstand this wear, and to provide for itsready replacement when worn; its occasional adjustment with accuracy andnicety; and its positive fixation in adjusted position; theserequirements'being 'subserved by a threaded connection of relativelyfine pitch as at a between the periphery of the bush and the throat ofthe shell, and by screws or tapped into the base of the bush and sopositioned that their heads may enter recesses a (see Fig. 5) arrangedat such intervalsas may be found desirable around the mouth of theshell, the distance between recesses representing a predeterminedcoaxial displacement of the bush along the post, corresponding to thedegree of wear which may necessitate readjustment, according toexperience. As a corollary of the establishment of this bush a as themain bearing part, I may, and prefer to, arrange the auxiliary bearing ain such a manner as to coiirdinate its operation and adjustment withthat of the bushing a, and for this purpose I have shown means a tomaintain the auxiliary bushing bearing member (1 automatically in snugengagement with its 006perating bearing a within the shell member a, andto serve at the same time as means to exert a co-axial draft upon theshell tending to maintain the bush-bearing surface a =in normaloperative engagement with the mouthward surface of the bearing part a.Any suitable means a may be provided to maintain the parts in thisrelation, and as one convenient form of such means I have 'loose'washera helowfthe anterior portion of the auxiliary bushing a. Theshellbearing surface a}? will preferably be slightly coned,tocohrtzspbnd-with which the exterior of the bushing er" may besimilarly coned, and as it is desirable to secure at this hearing theadvantageous; distribution of friction aflorded by compoun ding, thefree rotation of the bushing a may befacilitated by equalizing the areaof its outer and inner surfaces, and for this purpose an extension a isshown which causes the innerbearing surface to present by its additionallength, an area equal to the greater outside diameter of the member a.

I prefer to provide for a hardened and easily renewable bearing surfaceupon the tip of the post a to engage withthe inner surface of thebushing a and this may take any suitable form, as for example the metalsleeve a shown in Fig. '3, to retain which in place the post may beswaged outward slightly as indicated at a.'

At a in Fig. 3 l have shown an integral shoulder which may be provided.to limit the upward shift of the bearing part a un der the action ofthe spring a and to resist the coaxial aberrancy of the shell at highspeeds.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 4, a similar stop is provided inthe form of a sleeve a which may be secured upon the supporting post 0in suitable fashion, as by shrinking, for example, and has preferably aconed surface a and stop shoulder a, the sleeve being hardenedpreferably and serving as a bearing for the. similarly coned surface(L28 of the sphere a, which in other respects is preferably similar tothe sphere or shown in Fig. 3 and cooperates in like fashion with theshell bearing portion or and the bearing bush (1, these parts beingshown as slightly separated, ready for assemblage. One or more washers amay be provided as shown in Fig. i, adjacent the shoulder. a, to limitthe upward shift of the sphere a, and as the coned axial bore of thelatter wears larger, the sphere may be reseated after removal of one ormore of the washers a.

lhe support post a of my improved spindle may havev a threaded shank, asillustrated and may be mounted on any suitable rail, by which term Idesignate'broadly the portion of a spinmng frame or other apparatusutilized as the main support for that part of each spindle which carriesthe rotating or spinning member thereof, with-- out limitation to anytechnical use of the term rail, and as a convenient form of such rail orsupport to permit the various stance illustrated are arranged in.groups,

preferably circular, and pass upward through rail sections C, Gextending over the container in position to .hold each spindle with itsdriving mechanism normally below the surface of a quantity of oil orother suitable free lubricant which constitutes the preferred meansherein described to afiord the constant environment by which the.aetuating means are maintained free from the effect of dirt, lint,changing moisture conditions in the atmosphere, and similar disturbinginfluences. A cover D is provided preferably to complete the inclosureof the driving means.

I do not limit myself to the use of oil to accomplish the abovedescribed desirable result, inasmuch as any suitable means may beadopted to provide the constant environment without departing from thespirit of my invention.

As already noted hereinbefore, I prefer to form the actuating mechanismof non-hygroscopic material, thus eliminating the great variations intension characteristic of bands, by reason of their tendency to absorboil and moisture; and I prefer to provide for positive actuation ofthespindles, thus eliminating the irre ularities of speed and manifoldother disadvantages due to slip of bands and other frictional devices,the displacement of the bands from their whirls,

and the liability of operatives to err in adjusting the bands; toaccomplish both of these objects, accordingly, both of which are vitalto the production of an even yarn, I have selected gearing as thepreferred embodiment of means to illustrate in this disclosure of myinvention, although I wish it understood that I do not consider theprovision of non-hygroscopic actuating means, and of positively actuateddriving means as mutually interdependent, nor either of these asdependent upon the provision of a constant environment, the use ofgearing, however, lending itself favorably to the use of oil forlubrication as well as to insulate the actuating means.

The pinions or driven gears a may be actuated by any suitable means, andas one convenient form of such means I have shown a gear wheel 6 placedcentrally within the group of spindles A-A" and serving as a commonactuating gear for these spindles, intermeshing normally with the gearsa with which each of the shells is shown as provided in the instanceillustrated: While I do not limit myself to any specific form members ofthe spindles by preventing backlash orloose motion, and it will beobserved that by the use of such gearing I provide an additional meansto counteract the tendency of shell spindles to leave their supportsco-' axially; also that, by the use of gearing in general, I eliminatethe friction factor due to the lateral drag on the spindle whichthetension of a band exerts at all times, even under most favorableconditions. With gearing running in .oil, the friction factor is veryslight.

As a coni'enient form of bearmg for thegroup gear wheel e, I have showna short arbor or axis a, pointed at its lower end, and journaled belowthe gear 6 in a bearing member 6 which may take the form of astep-piece, preferably hardened, and carried by the rail section 0 whilethe upper end of the arbor e is shown as journaled on a bearing member 6this member preferably having its lower end pointed to enter a recessinthe arbor and having a threaded connection with the cover C, asillustrated at 6, being provided also with a jam-nut c to retain it inadjusted position. The arbor 6 preferably carries also a smallermultiplying bevel gear 6 beneaththe gear a and preferably forming aunitary structure therewith, for which purpose they may be rivetedtogether, as illustrated, or connected suitably otherwise, and the geara meshes with a much larger vertical bevel gear wheel 0 upon ahorizontal shaft E which may be the main actuating shaft of the rail,extending longitudinally through the container 13 and carried bysuitable bearings, as that shown at b in the end wall of the latter,suitable means, such as a gear e",being provided, to enable the shaftIs} to be driven from a suitable source of power, not shown.

All the gearing above described preferably runs wholly or partlysurrounded by the free oil within the container, the space between thecover D and sections C, G etc., being kept as free as possible fromprojections or parts likely to interfere with free movement of the oil,and with such an arrangement, I find it practicable to drive eachspindle at constant speeds running up to fifteen thousand (15,000) turnsa minute, the shaft E turning at say five hundred (500) to one thousand(1000) turns a minute, the speeds above 8000 turns a minute being ofspecial utility in spinning silk.

In Fig. 6 I have shown one of my improved spindles S provided withretaining means especially adapted for holding in place the silk bobbins shown thereon, the

iaaaoae latter having a bushing 8 preferably, of metal or other suitablematerial, while the end of the spindle is split to form resilientfingers s slightly enlarged preferably as at s", and which engage thebushing 8 retentively, partly on account of their resiliency, and partlyunder the action of centrifugal force. I do not limitmyself to the useof this device upon silk spindles.

12,000 turns a minute may be considered a suitable speed for cottonspinning, in the present state of that art, although the steady, smoothrotation of my improved spindle has demonstrated that higher speeds than12,006 turns per minute can be advantageously maintained even inspinning cotton. ft is to be noted, that the speed of each and everyspindle in my improved apparatus can be calculated with absolute accuracy at once, upon taking the speed of the main actuating member.

At 6 and e in Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown oil-lifting devices or meanscomprising spouts, channels or apertures piercing the gear e at an anglesuitable to cause the oil to be forced upward therethrough as long asthe lower surface of the gear rotates in the oil, even though the gearbe not wholly surrounded, and the oil thus lifted will be distributed bycentrifugal force over the top of the gear (which may be made smooth forthat purpose) to its periphery, serving to lubricate the driving teeththereon, and

- also the central pivot 6 The bores- 6 will operate thus duringlefthand rotation of the gear, and the bores 6 during righthand rotationthereof. These bores may be so placed, as indicated, that even thoughthey do not contact with the free oil directly, they will receive oilflung upward by centrifugal action from the periphery of the gear a". Acertain amount of such upwardly flung oil will likewise reach the lowersurface of the gear 6 and be thrown outward to the gears a even when thefree oil may be at a relatively low level in the container.

To attain the best results at high speeds, and indeed at any speed,means should be provided for the regular, and preferably continuous,circulation of lubricant over the bearing surfaces between a spindle andits support and driving gears, and for that purpose any suitable devicemay be adopted,

in accordance with my invention. The preferred system of oiling which Ihave devised, and illustrated herein, provides for recurrent circulationof oil, or other suitable lubricant, tliroughchannels f in therespective spindle posts, to the auxiliary bearings a thence downbetween the shell and post to the drive bearing a and from there partlythrough ports or vents 7 to drench or lubricate the gears a preferably,and partly through the bush bore a to the container, where it may minglewith the free lubricant; and whence a supplymay be withdrawn through aconduit f leading to a pump or other suitable circulating device f whichforces the oil, through a conduit f preferably to an overhead tank F orother suitable source of gravity supply, the oil flowing back through aconduit f to a lateral, longitudinal supply conduit 7, formed preferablyas a channel within the sections C, C or other suitable part of therail, suitable valves, or other means 7" being provided preferably atproper points, to control the circulation of the oil at various portionsof its path. J

The channel f preferably has ports i at appropriate intervals to deliveroil to the 'sections C, G etc, in which are central oil- As theuninterrupted circulation of oil to those spindles which at any giventime are in operation may become an important factor in the operation ofthe spinning frame as a whole, at constant speed and highest efficiency,and as the ready withdrawal of individual spindles from operativeengagement withthe group gear may be of similar importance, I prefer toprovide means to permit such withdrawal in such manner that a verysimple mechanical action will disengage the driven and driving memberson, and adjacent to, the spindle, and will at the same time and by thesame movement cut off the supply of oil in such a manner as not topermit waste or improper flow of oil from the individualspindle-support, permitting the circulation of oil to the other spindlesto continue unhindered. My preferred device for this purpose is shown inFig. 2 as taking the form of elongated vertical shafts or mounts Ill-Hone for each spindle, having respectively eccentrically formed threadedbores 71. to receive removably the supporting posts 0, set screws hbeing provided preferably to retain the posts normally in adjustedposition. Holesa may also be provided to receive a spanner to unscrewthe support from the mount. These mounts HH may derive their supportfrom any suitable device, and as one convenient form of such device Ihave shown sleeves, bushings or carriers KK having central axial bores70 respectively to receive the several mounts H-H which are free tomove'coaxially within the bores, being prevented from rotation thereinby suitable, means, as the pins k playing in the slots 0 provided in thewalls of the carriers. The carriers may be, and preferably are, extendeddownward through apertures b in the bottom of the container, an innercollar 70 and outer nut 7'1 serving as one suitable form of means toposition the carriers properly, permitting their rotation in theapertures, these jam nuts serving also to retain the carriers inadjusted position, with the gear a of the spindle in engagement with thegroup gear e. Oil tight packing is may be provided if found desirable.Each carrier may have a polygonal head 10 by which to rotate it, andwhen so rotated the mount will be rotated also, and will, on account ofthe eccentricity of its bore h, move the post a and spindle a so thatthe gear a will be disengaged from the gear 6 and the spindle allowed tocome to rest, this operation of disengagement being possible, inaccordance with my invention,

While the group-gear e continues to rotate,-

and' actuate the spindles whose gears 11. remaln in engagement with thegear 6. Such a sleeve-and-post eccentric 1s specially availv able fordisengaging herringbone gears,

which can not be disengaged co-axially, but it is equally available forother forms of intermeshing gears, nor indeed do I limit myself to thespecific form shown of mechanism for disengaging actuating members-ofthe class set forth.

In order to raise the mouth of the mounts H-H above the surface of thecover D so that the supporting posts may be grasped and unscrewed I haveshown the several mounts as having each an inferior threaded connectionh with the threaded upper end m of a rod M which extends below thebottom of the container through a continuation of the axial bore 70 ofthe carrier, and has a positioning collar m held within the retainingnut m beyond which extends an operating head m by which the rod M may beturned to force the mount H upward, rota- ,tion of the mount beingprevented by the pins 72?.

The several spindles may each be disengaged and raised by a similaroperation, which serves the further function, in the case of eachspindle, of cutting off the oil supply, by carrying the oil ports 7" inthe mount out of register with the channel 7 Accordingly, when thepolygonal head 76 of the carrier K is turned from right to left,

the mount H turns therewith until the gear a leaves the gear e,'androtation of the rod M thereafter results in forcing the mount H and posta upward into the position shown at the left of Fig. 2, the shell of thespindle A being then entirely out of the container B, the cover D ofWhich is preferably secured by suitable fastening means such as thescrews d and provided with openings (Z one for and to pass each of thespindles, the openings being large enough to pass the pinions a also,andto permit laterahmovement of the spindles when shifted by theeccentrics.

Normally, a'bushing d may be provided in 6&51'1 of the" apertures d toprevent escape of oil, and a thin ring a may be forced tightly on eachof the shells above the pinions a to act asan auxiliary oil guard, andwhen the spindle is forced up with the sleeve, the ring a will pick upthe bushing 65 the hole (Z being substantially closed by the head of themount H so that no oil will be thrown out by the other spindle pinionsafter the spindle and its post are Withdrawn completely from theeccentric sleeve bore h, the screw k having been removed beforeunscrewing the post. The rail sections C,

G etc., may and preferably will, be seated fastening means have beenloosened, the rail section 0 and its group of spindles A-A may beremoved readily as a group, carrying with it the gears e and cAssemblage and operation, 0 the apparatus.In assembling and setting upthe ap paratus preparatory to its operation, it will usually beconvenient first to arrange the container and its associated parts forreception of the spindles, and to accomplish this, the main actuatingshaft E may be set in place, with the gears 0 and the carriers K-K maybe inserted in their respective apertures b in the base of thecontainer, with the mounts H-H and rods MM in place, and the carriersmay be secured rotatably by the retaining nuts 70 then the rail sectionC may be set upon its ledge seats b, and secured there by the screws 0';the respective spindle posts a may be inserted in the eccentric mountbores 71 the spindle parts having first been assembled by placing theshell (1, the sphere a and the bush a upon the post a? in a mannerunderstood best upon reference to similar parts in Fi 4:, the screws (1being driven home to secure these parts in adjusted position.

It will be found most convenient usually to set the arbor c, with gearsc and (2 thereon in place, and to fasten down the cover D and. adjustthe pivot 0 before turning the carriers K to swing the gears a? intomesh with the group gear a, the carriers being secured in this positionby tightening the nuts 71: The oil channel f of the carrier will thenregister with the channel f and with the post channel port f. Thecontainer may then be filled with oil until the lubricant submerges thegroup gear a and its related gears, or until the desired depth isreached; a supply of oil will be placed in the tank F and thecontrolling valves 7" of the oil supply conduits may then be operated toI specific materials,

shown and described, nor in general other mepea i and distributingchannel f. The spindles will now be ready 'for the bobbins I and for theoperation of spinning, the main actuating shaft E being set in motionfor that purpose' 1 e When desired any one of the rail sections C, C maybe replaced complete, with the mounts H, H, etc., without shutting downthe main actuating shaft and oil supply, leaving the carriers Kit androds lW-M in )lace. v

aving illustrated and described my invention thus fully, and suitablemeans for carrying the same into effect,- it will .be understood that Ido not limit myself to the construction or uses wise than as set forthin the claims read in connection with this specification.

' What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Thecombination with a spindle, its

,support, a plurality of bearings therebetween; and'a container to holdlubricant; of

means circumjacent one of said hearings to drive said spindlepositively; .said driving means being .arranged to run in said lubricantwithin said container; means independent of said spindle to withdrawlubricant from said container and circulate said lubricant through saidbearings, and means to return it to said container; described.

2. The combination with a spindle, its support and a plurality ofseparated bear:

ings therebetween; of means to apply lubricant under pressure to one ofsaid bearings, means to convey said lubricant therefrom to another ofsaid bearings, and means to return said lubricant positively thereafterto domes of this patent may be obtained for substantially as said firstmentioned bearing; substantially as described.

3. The combination with a shell-spindle teriorly arranged driven portionto be engaged with driving means; and means to permit flow of lubricantfrom the interior of said member through its walls to the region ofdriving engagement; substantially as described.

5. A spindle of the class described, having an exterior gear and a portin its walls to convey lubricant to said gear from the interior of saidspindle;.substantially as described.

6. A spindle of the class described; said spindle having a herringbonegear to be engaged with similar gearing for actuation of said spindleand for its retention in driving position; substantially as described.

Signed'at New York inthe county and State of New York this 28th day ofMay, '1908.

1 HENRY L. BROWN. If

Witnesses: A

ALEXANDER C. PRoUDrrr, EDWARD B. BRUSH.

five cents each, by addressing the Gommisstener ot Petente, Washington,10. t.

